Device for reducing carbon monoxide in hydrocarbon engines



C. C. COHEE Aug. 16, 1932.-

DEVICE FOR REDUCING CARBON MONOXIDE IN HYDROCARBON ENGINES "Filed Jan.-l3, 1930 Patented Aug. 16, 1932 UNETED STATES CHARLES C. GOHEE, OFINDIANAPOIiIS, INDIANA DEVICE FOR nnnucnve cannon ivronoxrnn inmrnnocnnnon enemas Application filed January 13, 1930. Serial110.}120502.

The incomplete combustion of carbon in the explosion of gasoline vaporsin hydrocarbon explosion engines produces carbon monoxide (G) which,because it combines with the haemoglobin of the blood of animalsexpelling the oxygen, is very poisonous. However, the carbon monoxideburns readlly forming carbon-dioxide (CO which can be breathed withimmunity, and the prlnclpal object of the invention is to reduce theformation of the poisonous monoxide by producing a more completecombustionof all of the carbon. 7

Another object is to make the motor function better, with lessconsumption of gasoline, and at less expense per mile of travel becauseof the more perfect combustion of the carbon.

A. further object is to provide a convenient vehicle for theintroduction of lubricants to the interior rubbing parts of the engineand an additional object is to utilize a minimum quantity of water inthe generation of steam by the heat in the exhaust manifold and sosupply the steam to the air intake that a maximum amount of oxygen willenter the carbureter.

I accomplish the above and other ob ects which will hereinafter appearby the means illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the exhaust manifoldof an automobile and a carbureter, with my invention assembledtherewith, parts being broken away and 1n vertical section, the viewbeing largely diagrammatic; and

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

The exhaust manifold 3 and the carbureter 4 are of any usual andsuitable construction. The wall of the manifold 3 is bored through andthreaded.

A cylinder 5, as of wrought iron, has a longitudinal bore 6, enteringfrom one end,

but instead of extending entirely therethrough, the opposite end is leftsolid, as shown. The solid end of the cylinder is inserted through thethreaded hole in the manifold where it is retained by screw threads 7formed externally on the cylinder which engage with the threads of thehole. The walls of the cylinder are provided with the smallholes 8. ,Anhexagonal flange 9 formed on the cylinder is for the application of awrench in'screwing the cylinder in or out of. the manifold.

.Threads 10 are formed on the cylinder above thefiangei).

A balloon shaped steam dome 11 of brass or other suitable metal, fitsover the outer end of the cylinder 5. Ithas a contracted interna-ll-ythreadedend which screws on the threads 10 of the cylinde'r,malring asteam tight fit therewith. An externally and internally screw-threadednipple. 12 is screwed into a threaded hole in the top of the dome. Apipe 13'is screwed'into the nipple and extends down into the bore ofcylinder 5, not into contact with,-bi1t near the inner end of the bore 6thereof. The pipe is centeredin the cylinder 5 by a collar 14.

The nipple 12 extends for a suitable distance outside of the-dome 11,and to this extension a water supply pipe-15 is secured.

The pipe 15 has a valve, here shown as a needle valve 16, by which theamount of water supphed through pipe 15 is regulated. A pipe 17 isconnected with the interior of the dome and the other open end of thepipe terminates, opposite the open end of the air-' intake pipe-18 ofthe carbureter'. It is here shown as terminatinginside of an'airstrainer 19 of usualyforn but anair strainer is not an essential part ofmy" invention. Attention however, is called to the factthat the pipe 17dischargesfin front of the mouth and not inside of the air intake pipe18,. i i

The dome may stand vertically as shown in Fig.1, or horizontally orotherwise as conditions require, and it is provided with an opening folthe discharge of water of condensation, or for steam, should thepressure withinv the dome become too great. This is normally closed by aball valve 20. An opening at the greatest diameter of the dome normallyclosed by" a plug 21, is provided foruse whensthe dome is positioned'hori nal y- In the operation of my invention water 1s admitted byproperly manipulating the valve 16, so that it is discharged in dropsfrom the open end of pipe 13, upon the closed end of the cylinder 5.This end being solid for a considerable extent and heated by the hotgases discharging through the exhaust manifold, turns the drops of waterinto steam which steam discharges into the dome through the holes 8, andthe steam discharges through pipe 17 to a point in front of thecarbureter air-intake pipe 18, where it is drawn into the carbureteralong with plenty of air to more thoroughly consume the carbon when themixture is exploded inthe cylinders of the engine. V v

Formation of carbon-monoxide is thus prevented and by reason of the moreperfect combustion the efliciency of the engine is increased. Inincomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon and air mixture, gases other thancarbon monoxide are given off which are very nauseating and evenpoisonous. The introduction of the moisture into the combustible mixturehas, in effect, a catalytic action, and by its presence causes a moreperfect combustion of the mixture thereby eliminating the otherobjectionable gases in addition to the carbon monoxide.

I claim: I r

1. In a hydrocarbon explosion engine, an exhaust manifold and acarbureter having an air intake in combination with a steam generatorcomprising a member extended into the manifold and into a steam dome, aninlet pipe projecting into the member with means to cause water to dripinto the member, a steam dome around the outlet from the gener ator anda conduit between the dome and the air inlet.

2. In a hydrocarbon explosion engine, an exhaust manifoldand acarbureter having an air intake in combination with a steam generatorcomprising a hollow member extended into the manifold and into a steamdome, an inlet pipe projecting into the hollow member with meansincluding a needle valve to cause water to drop into the member, a steamdome around the outlet from the generator and a conduit between the domeand air inlet. 7 V

3. In a hydrocarbon explosion engine, an exhaust manifold and acarbureter having an air intake in combination with a steam generatorcomprising a hollow member extended into the manifold and into a steamdome, an inlet pipe projecting into the hollow member with meansincluding a needle valve to cause water to drop into the member, a steamdome around the outlet from the generator, av conduit between the domeand air inlet and a water drain from the steam dome.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLES o OOHEE.

